A Thousand Miles more: Ardi (A) vs mind_messing (J)

[Ardi]

So this time, we decided to switch sides. Now we both know exactly what we have in our arsenal. US at the start of the scenario severly outgun Japanese, having 12 DD against 7, 3 light cruisers (even though they are just Omahas) against 2, and most importantly, 2 heavy cruisers. The only advantage IJN has is submarines, since it has 10 against USN 6, with some of them being Glen subs.

Since the main objective of the scenario is capturing of Attu and Kiska, Japan must reinforce at least one of the islands before Allies land, else it has little chance of holding even one. US has 3 infantry regiments and 2 combat engineer groups at the start of the scenario and get another 4 regiments in 20 days. The main drawback for the US is lack of transport ships, which mostly arrive in 20 days as well. So Japan have to move troops before that (and also preferrably before US battleships arrive).

What reinforcements we both get during first two weeks? In terms of combat ships I recieve one Cleveland class CL (Santa Fe), CA Wichita, 2 DDs and 2 SS. IJN gets 2 escorts, 2 CAs (Nachi and Maya) on day 13 and 1 DD on day 14. So we are on par on terms of reinforcements, and USN advantage will be lessened by the end of second week but it still will be present. Best scenario for the Japan will be some USN crisers taken out by subs during these 2 weeks.

Now, what Japan needs to deliver to, let's say, Attu? Infantry brigade arrives in 12 days, but there are a lot of other units that would be useful there, especeifally army HQ to give bonus, engineers to build up forts. Air support will be good as well. There is Emily squadron arriving in 16 days, which could handle the transportation of some troops, but at least engineers should be brought ASAP. Additionaly, transport capacity of IJN merchant fleet will not allow to transport everything at once.

So there are some tough choices there for Japan. Didn't have this much info while playing them, so my moves now seem quite bold in retrospective. Actually I only narrowly missed mauling of my convoy on Day 7, because USN spent their ammo beating my SAG and then sinking an oiler. So, considering all reasons stated above I made interception of the convoys my main objective. Bombardment of the islands can wait. Even if the engineers present there will build up forts to lvl 3, without troops and supply it will be hard to hold them. It will also make my moves predictable and I-boats will have easier time hunting my cruisers.

So there is starting disposition of my forces. I actually decided to move engineer groups to Adak while they wait for transports to arrive. Let's see if I'm able to expand Adak's AF to size 4 in two weeks, so bombers could fly from it comfortably. Also moving some fuel there.

[Ardi]

First time I'm facing the capabilities of Allied SigInt, and it's already been immensely helpful! Naval construction batallion is reported to be loading on AMC for Attu, so as I understand, MM decided not to hesitate with moving troops. My fleet is gathering near Adak.

[Ardi]

Another interesting piece. AF unit is reported to be loaded on combat ships, so it must be fast transport. This seems reasonable, to try and bypass my fleet using speed and ability of IJN to transport troops via combat ships. But then he also has a transport convoy...

[Ardi]

And my Catalina also spotted a TF inbound to Attu. Looking at last SigInt report I've suggested that this is Fast transport force, number of ships spotted (3) seemed to small for a full convoy. So I devised a following plan. Main force composed of 2 CA, 3 CL and 6 DDs with Arlie Berk in command from "Indianapolis" will move from Adak at full speed directly to Attu to intercept. Task force of 4 DDs will move from the south (on screen is its path) at full speed, but low threat tolerance from the south to either intercept retreating Japanese SAG, or to face the convoy that is probably moving behind. Small TF of 2 DDs (that were escorting oilers and transports to Adak) will follow cruiser TF, but since they lack ops points, they will only arrive to Attu at day. Their objective is to intercept anything trying to move to Attu after the meeting with cruisers and other DDs.

[BBfanboy]

Be careful when using Full Speed runs. At minimum they will run up system damage and perhaps engineering damage on your ships which you may not have time to repair before you need the ship again. Accumulating 10 points of System damage would result in roughly 10% less rate and accuracy shooting and 10% less ability to handle damage.

The other danger is running small ships like DDs out of fuel before they can get back to port.

And in this scenario, there might be a limited amount of fuel available at DH or other forward ports. Small scenarios always seem to require you to budget your resources!

[Ardi]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Be careful when using Full Speed runs. At minimum they will run up system damage and perhaps engineering damage on your ships which you may not have time to repair before you need the ship again. Accumulating 10 points of System damage would result in roughly 10% less rate and accuracy shooting and 10% less ability to handle damage.

The other danger is running small ships like DDs out of fuel before they can get back to port.

And in this scenario, there might be a limited amount of fuel available at DH or other forward ports. Small scenarios always seem to require you to budget your resources!

Thanks for the tips! Indeed full speed runs may be dangerous for the user. Thankfully American DDs have good enough endurance, and I'm currently moving around 15k fuel to Adak, hope it will be enough.
The reason for using full speed runs here is the importance of the situation. If I manage to sucessfully intercept MM's force and defeat it at sea, it will basically shut down his ability to reinforce his islands and interfere in my operations (except for subs) until his carriers arrive. So I decided to take the risk here.

[Ardi]

April 18

Cruisers spotted Japanese TF at night near Attu. Imagine my surprise when I saw these were transports, without any escorts! Outcome is predictable. Cruisers also find AV in separate task force and destroy it as well.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 17, 43
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 153,49, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AK Sakito Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Sasako Maru, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AMC Asaka Maru, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Buenos Aires Maru, Shell hits 35, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Louisville
CL Richmond
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
DD Gansevoort
DD Meade
DD Dewey
DD Hull
DD MacDonough
DD Dale

Japanese ground losses:
7509 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 174 destroyed, 371 disabled
Engineers: 30 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 153,49, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AV Kimikawa Maru, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Louisville
CL Richmond
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
DD Gansevoort
DD Meade
DD Dewey
DD Hull
DD MacDonough
DD Dale

[Ardi]

Definetly an odd situation. My search from cruisers spotted another two Japanese TF approaching and they move forward (at normal speed) to face the enemy. Amount of ammo is fine. My 4-DD TF also didn't commit as far as it should have. Hope they do it now. 2-DD TF is also moving at normal speed behind the cruisers.

[Ardi]

April 19


There were a ton of skirmishes throughout the night. For some reasons two Japanese combat TFs were moving behind the convoy. Did he hope that transports will manage to sneak by to Attu at full speed? Not sure about that. But after this messy day IJN fleet is retreating to Paramushiro. Most of my ships are either damaged or out of ammo, but all three CLs still have some shells in their magazines, so I decided to sent them into pursuit, accompanied by 2 DDs.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 18, 43
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Paramushiro-jima at 144,49, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Kiso
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 2
DD Aylwin, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Paramushiro-jima at 143,49, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
DD Coghlan
DD Bancroft
DD Caldwell
DD Frazier


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Paramushiro-jima at 144,49, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Kiso, Shell hits 9, on fire
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 2
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 1
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 2
CA Louisville
CL Richmond
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
DD Gansevoort
DD Meade
DD Dewey, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hull
DD MacDonough
DD Dale, Shell hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Paramushiro-jima at 144,48, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 1
CL Kiso, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 6
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CL Richmond
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit, Shell hits 1
DD Gansevoort
DD Meade
DD Hull, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD MacDonough

Japanese ground losses:
456 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 18 (9 destroyed, 9 disabled)

[BBfanboy]

Wow - nice intercept! Those ships look to be all high capacity ones. The ground losses indicate BFs and Engineers. No combat troops and few vehicles/guns aboard.
If he does have combat units coming later they will probably lack for transport.
Killing the AV also reduces his chances of using Rufe FPs as fighters while trying to build up his airfields!

[BBfanboy]

That is strange about the Combat TF trailing the transports! I wonder if they were doing a high-speed run too, but had to stop to refuel the DDs.

[Bif1961]

He lead with his chin and you landed a staggering blow.